chances for Columbia, NYU, Princeton, and with these grades where else will i possible get into?
I grew up in a very cultural family, much different to the predominantly white families in my town, so I’ve always grown up differently. I originally was born in Manhattan but then moved to Queens and then to Long Island. My family has and still withstand immigration struggles and to see families being torn apart because of legal issues is something I really care about and passionate to make a difference internationally as well as help immigrants personally one day, just like my father. This pursues me to become an international or immigration lawyer but I am afraid that If I do not get accepted into a rigorous school, I won’t be as successful as I really do want to be. I’m also not some nerdy kid (kinda) who is annoying with the whole “I’m in all AP classes and I’m so intelligent!!!” kinda person. I have a strong belief in doing well in school but I feel that you must be able to speak your intelligence and show it; not just be so book smart. (sorry that didn’t make much sense)
I am NOT the smartest student even though I am enrolled in all but one AP and honors classes in my school.
I am definitely not the smartest student, but…
-currently with a 3.6 average and still aiming to do better the next two years of high school I have left
-I’ve taken French since 6th grade
-I’m in wind ensemble
-I play tennis
-Tennis camp in the summer for a week for the past 2 years
-Performing Arts camp
-Taken the PSAT as a freshman and this year as well, with around the high 40’s in each category. (its graded kinda differently since its PSAT)
-I am enrolled in all the highest AP or honors classes EXCEPT for math
-I am in two clubs, the musical, school plays, and have participated in my class’s fundraising.
-Last summer I worked in Ecuador at a neighboring university, I was assistant teaching children ages 10-15 aiding them in English. I worked there roughly a month in the summer and was one of the greatest experiences of my life.
-I’ve volunteered at the library, done NYSSMA for consecutive years, SCMEA
-this coming up summer of 2015, i will be volunteering at a local hospital for approx. 6 hours a week.
BTW, was also thinking of applying to NYU and Princeton
Advice? Please calm down. You’ve posted 4 of the same thread.
Are you saying you got a 150ish PSAT? That equates to about 1500 SAT. Go look up the average SAT scores for those schools and see what chance you have.
I take it you’re a sophomore. You have plenty of time to get everything together. INCLUDING getting that GPA up. 3.8+ is ideal. Your PSAT is really low, however you are only a sophomore. High 400’s (SAT scale) in each category are not that good, I’m sorry. You’re going to be taking the new SAT so don’t stress about this SAT too much. However, you can always give the ACT a try and see how you pan out with that. I recommend people take both just so you have more options.
You seem like a good candidate and I hope you strive to improve and only add more things to your “resume” per se. Just get your standardized test scores up and (eventually) write a great essay.
Play some sports, get good at them. Prepare for your ACT or SAT, shoot for above 29 or 1900. Start orienting your activities around things you enjoy/ have interest in. Columbia and Princeton reject around 95% of applicants so you’ll need to make yourself stand out. Put yourself out there, into the real world. Good luck!
You want a supportive environment with strong humanities and social science programs (philosophy, history, government, political science, economics are all good majors for future lawyers). You should try to get involved in mock trial and/or MUN.
Would you be applying through HEOP/EOP?
Look into Muhlenberg, Hobart&William Smith, Wells, Simmons, Hofstra, Rider, Wagner,
Reaches: Gettysburg, Barnard, Dickinson, Franklin&Marshall, Agnes Scott, SUNY Geneseo.
Run the Net Price Calculator on each.
Unless you want to be a Wall Street or other big city, big firm lawyer, which college you go to and even which law school you go to is less important than you think. I have been a lawyer for 30 years, been in dozens of hiring processes for lawyers and was on my law school’s admissions committee as a law student. The reputation of your college matters some, but it getting into law school is far more about good grades in college, good LSAT score and strong recommendations. Definitely a plus to have background in American history and government, though you don’t have to major in those. Better to go to solid college and get really good grades than to go to a college that is a stretch for you (though more “prestigious”) and get mediocre grades. Some law schools like students who work for a while after college before applying for LS, especially if it is interesting job. There are some jobs for starting lawyers that care about which law school, but for most it doesn’t make much difference. And, after practicing for a few years, no one cares which law school you went to.
and alright thank you!